STRANGE AFFAIR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 192, 4 August 1930, Page 5

STRANGE AFFAIR

MAN WASHED UP ON BEACH. [Per Press Association.] Blenheim, Aug. 4. William Henry an elderly retired railway servant, attempted to »•'•,’£*» at White’s Bay, near Blenheim, yesterday, under peculiar circumstances. Ho appeared very depressed and a friend, Mrs. V. Chapman, took him for a drive to the bay. On the return journey Parrish stated that he felt unwell and asked Mrs. Chapman to stop the car. He got out, said he would “do away with himself,” and started off towards the sea. about half a mile distant. Mrs. Chapman ran after him, hung on to him and endeavoured bo dissuade him from his purpose. He threw her off, rushed into the breakers and disappeared. There was an extraordinary sequel to the affair It 10 o’clock this morning, when the supposedly drowned man rang up Police-Ser-geant Petersen from Tuamarina. He is now in the lock-up little the worse for his experience except for had bruises and a few minor cuts. Apparently after he had been in the water for half an hour or so a huge wave washed him up on the beach, which was then in darkness. He wandered about for some time and, after begging food at a house where nothing was known of the supposed tragedy, he resumed his wanderings until 'ho reached Tuamarina as stated.